Hold Guards in Skyrim each carry a specific shield to represent their respective holds. Their appearance is quite basic, a circular wooden shield with iron trimming and the symbol of the Hold painted across the front. The shields can typically be obtained by pickpocketing using the Perfect Touch perk, or by simply killing a guard. However, a shield can also be pickpocketed if the guard is using a torch instead (at night), or has a 2-handed weapon equipped, hence having the shield unequipped in the guard's inventory, allowing it to be taken.